Reverse Logistics Strategies and Their Effect on the Competitiveness of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Firms in South Africa

<i>Background:</i> The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector contributes significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of a country. This has therefore led to the growth in importance of reverse logistics (RL) since the FMCG sector cannot avoid RL. It is therefore important...

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Main Authors: Mpho Sharon Makgedi Makaleng, Progress Hove-Sibanda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Logistics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/6/3/56
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author Mpho Sharon Makgedi Makaleng
Progress Hove-Sibanda
author_facet Mpho Sharon Makgedi Makaleng
Progress Hove-Sibanda
author_sort Mpho Sharon Makgedi Makaleng
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background:</i> The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector contributes significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of a country. This has therefore led to the growth in importance of reverse logistics (RL) since the FMCG sector cannot avoid RL. It is therefore important for the sector to implement RL strategies that can lead to firm competitiveness. Through the implementation of RL strategies, this sector will achieve many goals as well as lead to firm competitiveness. This study mainly sought to investigate RL strategies and their effect on firm competitiveness. <i>Methods:</i> A positivist research philosophy was employed. Data were collected through two close-ended questionnaires via SurveyMonkey from 418 FMCG retailers and consumers. This is because customers and employees are the greatest asset for any sector. <i>Results:</i> The descriptive results revealed the following RL strategies as the highly implemented ones among FMCG retailers: integration of forward logistics (FL) and RL, the implementation of new technology, the adherence to environmental policies and regulations, knowledge management, eco-compatibility and strategic alliances. The structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that RL strategies have a positive and significant influence on firm competitiveness. <i>Conclusion:</i> The results offer insight into the RL strategies that must be carried out to achieve firm competitiveness.
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spelling doaj-art-794d4156b8984080af2dcbdfc05f340a2025-08-20T03:14:53ZengMDPI AGLogistics2305-62902022-08-01635610.3390/logistics6030056Reverse Logistics Strategies and Their Effect on the Competitiveness of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Firms in South AfricaMpho Sharon Makgedi Makaleng0Progress Hove-Sibanda1Department of Logistics, Faculty of Business and Economic Science, South Campus, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6019, South AfricaDepartment of Logistics, Faculty of Business and Economic Science, South Campus, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6019, South Africa<i>Background:</i> The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector contributes significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of a country. This has therefore led to the growth in importance of reverse logistics (RL) since the FMCG sector cannot avoid RL. It is therefore important for the sector to implement RL strategies that can lead to firm competitiveness. Through the implementation of RL strategies, this sector will achieve many goals as well as lead to firm competitiveness. This study mainly sought to investigate RL strategies and their effect on firm competitiveness. <i>Methods:</i> A positivist research philosophy was employed. Data were collected through two close-ended questionnaires via SurveyMonkey from 418 FMCG retailers and consumers. This is because customers and employees are the greatest asset for any sector. <i>Results:</i> The descriptive results revealed the following RL strategies as the highly implemented ones among FMCG retailers: integration of forward logistics (FL) and RL, the implementation of new technology, the adherence to environmental policies and regulations, knowledge management, eco-compatibility and strategic alliances. The structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that RL strategies have a positive and significant influence on firm competitiveness. <i>Conclusion:</i> The results offer insight into the RL strategies that must be carried out to achieve firm competitiveness.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/6/3/56reverse logistics (RL)fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)retail sectorSouth Africa (SA)strategiesfirm competitiveness
spellingShingle Mpho Sharon Makgedi Makaleng
Progress Hove-Sibanda
Reverse Logistics Strategies and Their Effect on the Competitiveness of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Firms in South Africa
Logistics
reverse logistics (RL)
fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
retail sector
South Africa (SA)
strategies
firm competitiveness
title Reverse Logistics Strategies and Their Effect on the Competitiveness of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Firms in South Africa
title_full Reverse Logistics Strategies and Their Effect on the Competitiveness of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Firms in South Africa
title_fullStr Reverse Logistics Strategies and Their Effect on the Competitiveness of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Firms in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Reverse Logistics Strategies and Their Effect on the Competitiveness of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Firms in South Africa
title_short Reverse Logistics Strategies and Their Effect on the Competitiveness of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Firms in South Africa
title_sort reverse logistics strategies and their effect on the competitiveness of fast moving consumer goods firms in south africa
topic reverse logistics (RL)
fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
retail sector
South Africa (SA)
strategies
firm competitiveness
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/6/3/56
work_keys_str_mv AT mphosharonmakgedimakaleng reverselogisticsstrategiesandtheireffectonthecompetitivenessoffastmovingconsumergoodsfirmsinsouthafrica
AT progresshovesibanda reverselogisticsstrategiesandtheireffectonthecompetitivenessoffastmovingconsumergoodsfirmsinsouthafrica